title: IL-2 and proteoglycans synergistically induce antigen-specific B-cell responses--a possible immune response in the hyperplastic myasthenia thymus.
abstract: To understand developmental mechanisms of effector B-cells in the hyperplastic MG thymus, we have evaluated immunological roles of IL-2 and the 100-kDa haemopoietic biglycan, because the number of their producers increases pathologically there. When these two factors were added to an immune system together, the number of antibody-producing cells was markedly increased in a synergistic fashion. Further, IL-2 and the conditioned medium of myoid cells induced immunoglobulin isotype switches, suggesting that new B-cell stimulatory microenvironments were generated in the hyperplastic thymus. In relation to this, we also discuss a new biological feature, an immunomodulator, of conventional biglycan and decorin.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Akikuchi-kkr@umin.ac.jp <Akikuchi-kkr@umin.ac.jp>
authors.forename: Aiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tomoyasu
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kamo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D058578:Biglycan; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D058575:Decorin; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000494:pharmacology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C546884:BGN protein, human; C546885:Bgn protein, mouse; D058578:Biglycan; D016207:Cytokines; C546878:DCN protein, human; C546879:Dcn protein, mouse; D058575:Decorin; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011509:Proteoglycans; D010450:Endopeptidases; C091939:ubiquitin isopeptidase